RALEIGH, N.C. — Salman Sheikh was organizing a swim class for his two sons last summer when fellow Muslim parents approached him about starting a class for girls. Sheikh told them he would ask the Curran Aquatic Center in Cary, N.C., whether it could accommodate a group of Muslims who preferred a women-only pool. Yes, of course, the leaders of the aquatic center said, and showed him a 15-yard pool that could be rented for $170 an hour. Problem was, the small pool overlooked a larger, Olympic-size pool, and Sheikh wondered whether the center could provide blinds to cover the windows and shield the women from onlookers. Continue Reading »

Two Islamic apparel exhibitions were simultaneously held in Tehran in line with the policies of Ahmadinejad administration to promote the observance of hijab. Reyhaneh Islamic Clothing Exhibit held at Tehran’s Mosalla (prayer grounds) during July 13-22, was reportedly not much successful. However, the other exhibition designated “The Women of My Land“ was received with public enthusiasm thanks to featuring new colorful designs inspired by Islamic and Persian culture. Continue Reading »

The Concept of Beauty In Islam

*{… Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou (Muhammad) canst see no fault in the Beneficent One’s creation; then look again: Canst thou see any rifts? Then look again and yet again, thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim.}* (Al-Mulk 67:3-4, Holy Qur'an)
*{And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye eat, And wherein is beauty for you, when ye bring them home, and when ye take them out to pasture.}* (An-Nahl 16:5-6, Holy Qur'an)
“Almighty Allah is Beautiful (splendid in His perfection) and loves beauty.” : Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

Good Words

If Allah takes away your tongue and gives back to you your heart he has been extremely kind to you; but if he takes away from you your heart and gives you back your tongue then know that you are in a serious calamity.
al-Mutashâbihât fil-Qur’an – Page 11
Ibn al-Jawzî رحمة الله عليه says:
“You should know that the beauty of a person’s Islam lies in his leaving those things that do not concern him. When Allah wills evil for a person he puts him through the test of argumentation - when Allah wills good for a person he inspires him to do good deeds.